2024 has been an intriguing year for TV shows based on true stories. From gripping dramas that highlight the intricate web of organized crime in Belfast to emotionally raw documentaries featuring personal struggles, there’s plenty to dive into. Here are seven of the best true-story TV shows of 2024 so far, capturing a range of human experiences and remarkable tales.
Fabulous Feasts with Andi Oliver
Andi Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts on BBC Two/iPlayer sees the effervescent chef travel to various UK communities, organizing grand food events for local heroes. It’s a lovely premise that involves heartwarming stories of community resilience, enough to reinstate faith in human potential. As one touched reviewer noted, As a premise, Andi Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts is about as heartwarming as a Guyanese pepper pot cooked in a Cornish community cafe
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Baby Reindeer
On Netflix, Richard Gadd’s gripping series replays his harrowing experience with a stalker and abuse within the showbiz world. The show remains intensely compelling despite external noise from internet sleuths. One critique aptly describes it: Inevitably, Baby Reindeer makes for stressful and often distressing viewing; in describing it as ‘still piercingly funny’, the marketing bods at Netflix are the only ones having a laugh.
The Emotional Depth of Big Boys
Channel 4’s ‘Big Boys’ returned bolder and better. It continues to follow Jack (Dylan Llewellyn) and Danny (Jon Pointing) through university life, mixing slapstick humor with deeper explorations into childhood and family. This blend has brought tears and laughter alike, making it a most poignant comedy.
Undermining Crime in Blue Lights
BBC One/iPlayer’s ‘Blue Lights’ dives deep into organized crime’s impact on Belfast communities. The intertwined lives of rookie police recruits reveal the city’s nuanced social fabric, reflecting the constant battle between maintaining normality and managing job stresses. This sense of realism makes it exceedingly rewarding drama.
Larry David Amnesty
Larry David’s real-life TV clip from ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ played a monumental role in saving Juan Catalan from false murder charges. By chance, filming at Dodger Stadium resulted in footage clearing Catalan’s name—a remarkable intersection where television directly impacted justice.
The Chilling Night Country Investigation
HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’ shifts its focus to Alaska with Jodie Foster starring as a detective unraveling an eerie cold-case involving frozen research scientists. The series crafts a brooding atmosphere that keeps audiences gripped by the unfolding mystery.
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